FQAers were very excited about the 1998 FGC Gathering of Friends in
Wisconsin. Over 1700 Friends were expected to attend; and of special
interest was the fact that the host campus, the University of
Wisconsin at River Falls, had its own art gallery. We were thrilled
when this fine, large space was promised to us, to be the home of the
first major exhibit of Quaker art, at this, the largest of annual
Quaker Gatherings.

Imagine our shock, then, when we arrived at River Falls in late
June, cartons full of artwork in tow, only to be told that the Gallery
space had been pre-empted by the school's theatre department. We and
our collected art works had been evicted, made homeless, with no
notice!

Worse yet, when we lobbied for an alternative exhibit site, we were
shown a room that was in a shambles. It had been half torn apart for
rebuilding, with ceiling tiles dangling, two walls adorned with bare
metal studs, the floor covered with dirt and junk, lousy lighting, no
ventilation, and the air conditioning kaput. That was all they could
do; take it or leave it.